Bayer Animal Health - International Animal Health Portal 2005 0046 E Page 1
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News release
Bayer HealthCare AG
Corporate Communications
51368 Leverkusen
Germany
Tel.: +49 214 30-1
www.press.bayer.com
Good Beekeeping Practice in honey production with Bayer HealthCare:
Effective varroa control keeps bees healthy and happy
Berlin/Monheim The varroa mite was introduced into Germany around 25 years
ago, and measures to combat it are still among the key concerns of Good Beekeeping
Practice. This was the message that Dr. Sabine Ippendorf, a veterinary expert at Bayer
Vital GmbH, the German marketing subsidiary of Bayer HealthCare AG,
communicated to an audience of specialist journalists in Berlin. With Perizin® and
Bayvarol®, both of which are registered in Germany and in some other countries, the
Animal Health Division of Bayer HealthCare AG offers two essential products for the
treatment of these dreaded parasites. "Experience in recent years has shown that the
threat of infection is still great and that once-yearly varroa treatment is not sufficient,"
reported Dr. Ippendorf. Only when these measures are used as part of an integrated
control program is it possible to bring the varroa mite under control.
As with all veterinary medicines, however, correct use of the product is paramount to
maintain the long-term efficacy of treatment, and thus protect the health of the bees
and guarantee the production of high-quality honey in accordance with the interests of
consumer protection. New threats such as the small hive beetle also pose a threat to the
health of bee colonies, so researchers at Bayer HealthCare's Animal Health Division
are working at top speed to develop a product to treat this pest as well. Bayer
HealthCare AG is the only major pharmaceutical company which still conducts
research in the field of bee health.
Pharmacy-only status opens up opportunities for better communication
Since July 2004, Bayvarol® Strips have been available from pharmacies and are no
longer classified as prescription-only medicines in Germany. It is therefore possible
for beekeepers to purchase them in pharmacies now, whereas previously they could
